Beetles infest another 9 acres in Shrewsbury

Hundreds of red maple trees will be removed after about nine acres in the Hill Street area were found to be infested with the dreaded Asian longhorned beetle.

Julie Coop, longhorned beetle forester with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, told the Board of Selectmen tonight that all of the infested trees on the property need to be removed. Selectmen gave approval for trees to be taken down on about six acres that belong to the town.

She said approval has been received from the two private property owners and the state, which owns just over an acre of the property.

Ms. Coop said workers plan to remove the trees next month.

The most recently found infested area is less than a mile from the 98 acres north of St. John's High School athletic fields on Main Street, where thousands of trees in February were found to be infested or vulnerable. Those trees, also red maples, are being removed through May. Both areas are considered red maple swamps, she said.

“The beetles are coming out of Worcester and moving away from the Norwegian maples and moving toward the red maple swamps,” she said.

More than 30,000 infested and vulnerable trees have been removed since the invasive beetle was first found in Worcester four years ago. The beetles have since been found in Shrewsbury, Boylston, West Boylston and parts of Auburn and Holden.

Anyone with questions can call (508) 852-8090. For information about options for replanting, call (508) 852-8073.